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Western Balkans Regulation Visa (Westbalkan-Regelung)
GermanyGermany•Europe
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Western Balkans Regulation Visa (Westbalkan-Regelung)

Work PR PathwayThis visa can lead to permanent residency, the right to live and work here indefinitely without renewing your visa. Dependents Allowed

At a Glance

Processing Time

2-6 months

Estimated Cost

EUR €113

Stay Duration

Duration of employment contract

Not renewable

Renewal

Not renewable

Family

Dependents allowed

PR Pathway

Yes

Sponsor

Job offer required

Work

Remote not required

Official Information
Germany flag

Living in Germany

Cost of Living
2% cheaper than United States
Avg Salary€36,000
Quality of Life
195/200
Full Country Guide

Overview

German work visa for nationals of Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo, Montenegro, North Macedonia, and Serbia in non-regulated occupations with a job offer.

The Western Balkans Regulation (§26 Abs. 2 BeschV) is a German work visa for nationals of Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo, Montenegro, North Macedonia, and Serbia. It covers any non-regulated occupation without formal qualification recognition — the only prerequisite is a job offer from a German employer.

Stay matches the employment contract and is renewable. Federal Employment Agency pre-approval is required under an annual quota of 50,000. Spouses may join via family reunification with full work rights. After five years of legal residence, holders may apply for permanent settlement (Niederlassungserlaubnis).

This visa is ideal for Western Balkans nationals with a German job offer in a non-regulated trade or service role who want a work pathway leading to permanent residence.

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Cost Breakdown

Visa application feeEUR €75
VisaMetric service feeEUR €38
TotalEUR €113

Annual Cap & Quota

50,000 Federal Employment Agency approvals per year (effective June 2024)

Eligible Nationalities (6)

AlbaniaAlbaniaBosnia & HerzegovinaBosnia & HerzegovinaMontenegroMontenegroNorth MacedoniaNorth MacedoniaSerbiaSerbiaKosovoKosovo

Requirements

PUBLISHED REQUIREMENTS

Must be a national of Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo, Montenegro, North Macedonia, or Serbia

A concrete job offer or employment contract from an employer in Germany

The employment must be in a non-regulated profession (unless professional recognition is already obtained)

Approval (pre-approval) from the Federal Employment Agency (BA)

No asylum seeker benefits received in Germany in the past 24 months

REQUIRED DOCUMENTS

Valid passport

Completed national visa application form

Signed employment contract or job offer

Pre-approval from the Federal Employment Agency (BA)

Proof of health insurance

Biometric passport-sized photos

Application Process

1

Secure a concrete job offer or employment contract from a German employer.

2

Employer applies for pre-approval from the Federal Employment Agency (BA).

3

Register for a visa appointment at the competent German diplomatic mission in the home country.

4

Apply for the D-visa using the pre-approval and other required documents.

5

Enter Germany, register the address, and obtain the residence permit.

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